Multidirectional cutting tool in a punch press environment

Abstract

To adapt a punch press to cut work blanks, a cutting mechanism having a freely rotating cutting wheel is provided to a first support of the punch press while a corresponding die having a groove for mating with the cutting wheel is provided to a second support of the punch press. To operate, the cutting wheel is moved toward the die a given distance such that the cutting edge of the cutting wheel slidably mates with the cutting edge of the groove of the die to effect cutting of the workpiece. By synchronously rotating both the cutting wheel and the die to different orientations while maintaining their respective cutting edges aligned and in sliding contact with each other, by moving a worksheet relative to the cutter wheel and die, a multidirectional cut path may be effected on the worksheet.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a work station having at least one workpiece to be worked on being positioned relative to said work station, an apparatus for cutting said workpiece comprising: at least one cutting means rotatably and movably mounted to a first support at said work station;   at least one die means for mating with said cutting means rotatably mounted to a second support opposed to said first support at said work station;   means for moving said cutting means and said die means matingly toward each other and maintaining said cutting means and said die means in relative mated position with each other to cut said workpiece; and   means for synchronously rotating said matingly maintained cutting means and die means so that a continuous cut of different orientations on said workpiece may be effected.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cutting means comprises: a cutting wheel having a cutting edge rotatable orthogonally to the plane of said workpiece movably coupled to said first support, said cutting wheel rotatable in parallel to the plane of said workpiece;   wherein said die means comprises: a die rotatable in parallel to the plane of said workpiece having a cutting edge for slidably cooperating with the cutting edge of said cutting wheel to effect cutting.     
     
     
       3. Apparatus of claim 2, wherein said rotating means comprises: at least one servomotor for simultaneously rotating said cutting means and die means.   
     
     
       4. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said moving means comprises: a ram for vertically driving said cutting means to mate with said die means.   
     
     
       5. Apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means for positioning said workpiece relative to said cutting means and said die means as said cutting means and said die means are being synchronously rotated to different orientations.   
     
     
       6. Apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: processor means for controlling the synchronous rotation of said cutting means and said die means, and the distance said cutting means and said die means are driven relative toward each other by said moving means.   
     
     
       7. Apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means for producing at least one signal to indicate said cutting means and said die means being in alignment with each other so that said moving means may be activated.   
     
     
       8. A turret punch press having rotatable first and second turrets and adaptable to cut workpieces, comprising: at least one first cutting means rotatably mounted to said first turret;   at least one second cutting means for mating with said first cutting means rotatably mounted to said second turret;   means for driving said first cutting means to mate with said second cutting means and to maintain said first and second cutting means in relative mated position with each other to cut a workpiece placed between said first and second cutting means; and   means for synchronously rotating said first and second cutting means to different orientations so that a continuous multidirectional cut may be effected on said workpiece by said first and second cutting means in said relative mated position.   
     
     
       9. A turret punch press having rotatable first and second turrets and adaptable to cut workpieces, comprising: at least one first cutting means rotatably mounted to said first turret;   at least one second cutting means for mating with said first cutting means rotatably mounted to said second turret;   means for driving said first cutting means to mate with said second cutting means and to maintain said first and second cutting means in relative mated position with each other to cut a workpiece placed between said first and second cutting means; and   means for synchronously rotating said first and second cutting means to different orientations so that a continuous multidirectional cut may be effected on said workpiece by said first and second cutting means in said relative mated position;   wherein said first cutting means comprises a cutting wheel having a cutting edge rotatable orthogonally to the plane of said workpiece;     wherein said second cutting means comprises a die having a grooved edge for cooperating with said cutting edge of said cutting wheel to effect cutting.     
     
     
       10. Turret punch press of claim 9, wherein said rotating means comprises: at least one servomotor for synchronously rotating said cutting wheel and said die.   
     
     
       11. Turret punch press of claim 8, wherein said driving means comprises: a ram for vertically driving said first cutting means to mate with said second cutting means.   
     
     
       12. Turret punch press of claim 8, further comprising: means for positioning said workpiece relative to said first and second cutting means as said cutting means are being synchronously rotated to different orientations.   
     
     
       13. Turret punch press of claim 8, further comprising: processor means for controlling the synchronous rotation of said cutting means, and the distance said cutting means are driven relative toward each other by said driving means.   
     
     
       14. Turret punch press of claim 8, further comprising: means for producing at least one signal to indicate said first and second cutting means being in alignment with each other so that said driving means may drive said first cutting means toward said second cutting means.   
     
     
       15. Turret punch press of claim 8, further comprising: at least one punch mounted to said first turret;   at least one die for mating with said punch mounted to said second turret;   wherein said driving means is adaptable to drive said punch toward said die for punching a hole in a workpiece placed therebetween after said first and second turrets have been rotated to position said punch and die in alignment with said driving means such that both multidirectional cut paths and holes may be effected on workpieces by said turret punch press.   
     
     
       16. A turret punch press having at least one punch tool and one corresponding die for punching holes in workpieces, comprising: at least one first blade means having a cut edge rotatably mounted to a first support to which either one of said punch tool and die is mounted at a work station;   at least one second blade means having a cut edge for slidably mating with the cut edge of said first blade means rotatably mounted to as second support opposing said first support at said work station to which the other of said punch tool and die is mounted;   means for driving said first blade means toward said second blade means such that the respective cut edges of said first and second blade means slide pass each other to cut a workpiece placed between said first and second blade means; and   means for synchronously rotating said first sand second blade means to different orientations so that a continuous multidirectional cut may be effected on said workpiece.   
     
     
       17. Punch press of claim 16, wherein said first blade means comprises: a cutting wheel mechanism whose cut edge being rotatable orthogonally to the plane of said workpiece; and   wherein said second blade means comprises: a die mechanism whose cut edge slidably cooperates with the cut edge of said cutting wheel mechanism to effect cutting on said workpiece.     
     
     
       18. Punch press of claim 16, wherein said rotating means comprises: at least one servomotor for synchronously rotating said first and second blade means to maintain the respective cut edges of said first and second blade means in alignment with each other.   
     
     
       19. Punch press of claim 16, wherein said driving means comprises: a ram for vertically driving the cut edge of said first blade means to slide pass the cut edge of said second blade means.   
     
     
       20. Punch press of claim 16, further comprising: means for positioning said workpiece relative to said first and second blade means.   
     
     
       21. Punch press of claim 16, further comprising: numerical control means for controlling said rotating means to synchronously rotate said first and second blade means, and said driving means to drive said first blade means a sufficient distance so that the cut edge thereof slides pass the cut edge of said second blade means to cut said workpiece.   
     
     
       22. Punch press of claim 16, further comprising: means for producing at least one signal to indicate the respective cut edges of said first and second blade means being in alignment with each other before said driving means may drive said first blade means toward said second blade means.   
     
     
       23. In a turret punch press having at least one punch tool and one corresponding die for punching holes in workpieces, a method of effecting cuts on said workpieces, comprising the steps of: (a) rotatably mounting to a first support of said punch press to which said one punch tool is mounted at least one first blade means having a cut edge;   (b) rotatably mounting to a second support of said punch press opposed to said first support to which said corresponding die is mounted at least one second blade means having a cut edge for slidably mating with the cut edge of said first blade means;   (c) driving said first blade means toward said second blade means such that the respective cut edges of said first and second blade means slide pass each other to cut a workpiece placed between said first and second blade means; and   (d) synchronously rotating said first and second blade means to different orientations so that a continuous multidirectional cut may be effected on said workpiece.   
     
     
       24. Method of claim 23, wherein said step (a) further comprises the step of: rotatably mounting to said first support a cutting wheel mechanism whose cut edge being rotatable orthogonally to the plane of said workpiece; and   wherein said step (b) further comprises the step of: rotatably mounting to said second support a die mechanism whose cut edge slidably cooperates with the cut edge of said cutting wheel mechanism to effect cutting on said workpiece.     
     
     
       25. Method of claim 23, wherein said step (d) further comprises the step of: utilizing at least one servomotor for synchronously rotating said first and second blade means to maintain the respective cut edges of said first and second blade means in alignment with each other.   
     
     
       26. Method of claim 23, wherein said step (d) further comprises the step of: utilizing a ram for vertically driving the cut edge of said first blade means to slide pass the cut edge of said second blade means.   
     
     
       27. Method of claim 23, further comprising the step of: positioning said workpiece relative to said first and second blade means during step (d).   
     
     
       28. Method of claim 23, further comprising the step of: numerically controlling the synchronous rotation of said first and second blade means, and the driving of said first blade means to cause the cut edge thereof to slide sufficiently pass the cut edge of said second blade means to cut said workpiece.   
     
     
       29. Method of claim 23, further comprising the step of: monitoring the respective orientation positions of said first and second blade means to produce at least one signal to indicate the respective cut edges of said first and second blade means being in alignment with each other before driving said first blade means toward said second blade means.   
     
     
       30. In a work station having a first support and a second support between which at least one workpiece to be worked on is positioned, a method of cutting said workpiece comprising the steps of: (a) rotatably mounting to one of said supports at least one cutting means;   (b) rotatably mounting to the other of said supports at least one die means for mating with said cutting means;   (c) moving and maintaining said cutting means and said die means matingly relative toward each other to cut said workpiece; and   (d) synchronously rotating said matingly maintained cutting and die means so that a continuous cut of different orientations on said workpiece may be effected.   
     
     
       31. Method of claim 30, wherein said step (a) further comprises the step of: rotatably coupling to said one support a cutting wheel having a cutting edge rotatable orthogonally to the plane of said workpiece; and   wherein said step (b) further comprises the step of: rotatably coupling a die having a cutting edge for slidably cooperating with the cutting edge of said cutting wheel to effect cutting to said other support.     
     
     
       32. Method of claim 31, wherein said step (d) further comprises the step of: utilizing at least one servomotor for simultaneously rotating said cutting wheel and said die.   
     
     
       33. Method of claim 30, wherein said step (d) further comprises the step of: utilizing a ram for vertically driving said cutting means to mate with said die means.   
     
     
       34. Method of claim 30, further comprising the step of: positioning said workpiece relative to said cutting means and said die means as said cutting means and said die means are being synchronously rotated to different orientations.   
     
     
       35. Method of claim 30, further comprising the step of: computer controlling the synchronous rotation of said cutting means and said die means, and the distance said cutting means and said die means are being driven relative toward each other by said moving means.   
     
     
       36. Method of claim 30, further comprising the steps of: monitoring the respective orientations of said cutting means and said die means with respect to corresponding predetermined alignment check points;   producing at least one signal to indicate said cutting means and said die means being in alignment with each other before activating said moving means.